Earlier this week, people began to speculate that director Matthew Vaughn left the X-Men: First Class sequel, X-Men: Days of Future Past, for a chance to direct Star Wars: Episode VII. Given that there's a new story like this every hour, they should all be taken with a grain of salt, but in an interview with CBR, Mark Millar seems to make different implications about Vaughn's departure.

"What we're doing is that 'Kick-Ass 2' is filming now, and next year we'll start production on 'Secret Service' which I did with Dave Gibbons, and Matthew and I have been talking about that for years. We thought Matthew was going to do X-Men first, but we found out there were actually a few imitators of 'Secret Service' in the works. People think you're lying when you say you're not trying to get your comics made into movies so quickly, but the two reasons it happens like that is first because it's the best ad for the comic you'll ever have. And for me, selling the book is the most important thing. The second reason is because people are always trying to rip you off. Somebody will start to work on a spec screenplay about your idea. There are three other projects I know of now about a James Bond kind of guy taking a street kid and turning him into a spy. Three screenplays were already going through Hollywood about this! So Matthew and I said, 'F*** this. We're not letting anyone steal our ideas.'"

It remains to be seen which, if either, of these circumstances are true, but it makes sense that Vaughn would partner up with Millar again given they're history with the Kick-Ass franchise. Check back here for more details about where Vaughn lands as they emerge.

Secret Service was created by Millar and Watchmen artist Dave Gibbons. It is described as follows: It's James Bond meets My Fair Lady as the world’s greatest spy trains his troubled nephew to leave his pathetic life behind and join the elite ranks of the British Secret Service.

The King's Speech actor Colin Firth is currently in talks to star in the adaptation of The Secret Service, according to Latino Review.

Like his previous Mark Millar adaptation, Kick-Ass, Matthew Vaughn has co-written the screenplay with Jane Goldman and will also direct and produce the project through his MARV Films banner.

The series, illustrated by Dave Gibbons, tells the story of a British secret agent who recruits and begins to train his rebellious nephew. Firth is in talks to play the "Uncle" role and Kick-Ass star Aaron Johnson was desired for the nephew role but is unavailable.

Millar previously confirmed that he and Vaughn want Mark Hamill to appear as himself, as he does in the comic.

The Secret Service is set to begin production in August for a November 14, 2014 release.

Variety is reporting that three actors are currently in the running to join Matthew Vaughn's adaptation of the comic book series The Secret Service, including Jack O’Connell (300: Rise of an Empire), John Boyega (Attack the Block) and Christian Cooke (Magic City). These three are auditioning for the role of Gary and will play the nephew to Colin Firth's Uncle Jack. Kick-Ass star Aaron Taylor-Johnson was being courted for the role, but the studio has reportedly decided to try a different route.

Vaughn co-wrote the screenplay with Jane Goldman and will also direct and produce the project through his MARV Films banner.

The series, illustrated by Dave Gibbons, tells the story of a British secret agent who recruits and begins to train his rebellious nephew.

The Secret Service is set to begin production in August for a November 14, 2014 release.

Newcomer Taron Egerton looks likely to make his big screen debut as Gary in director Matthew Vaughn's The Secret Service, Variety reports. What's more, /Film has confirmed with Vaughn that the previously-rumored Michael Caine is set for a role, joining Colin Firth in the big screen adaptation of Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons' comic book series.

Like his previous Millar adaptation, Kick-Ass, Matthew Vaughn has co-written the screenplay with Jane Goldman and will also direct and produce the project through his MARV Films banner.

The series, illustrated by Gibbons, tells the story of a British secret agent, Jake (Firth), who recruits and begins to train his rebellious nephew, Gary.

The trade goes on to note that, among those eyed to play the female lead, are Emma Watson and Bella Heathcote. Millar previously confirmed that he and Vaughn want Mark Hamill to appear as himself, as he does in the comic.

The Secret Service is set to begin production in August for a November 14, 2014 release.

Matthew Vaughn's take on Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons' graphic novel The Secret Service has already cast Colin Firth as the secret agent who takes a young punk played by Taron Egerton under his wing, but now it's being reported by Variety that Samuel L. Jackson is set to play the villain with production expected to start this fall.

Vaughn had been looking for a big star to play the main baddie with Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio being two names that were mentioned, but now that Jackson is on board, they just need to find the movie's female lead, with Emma Watson and Dark Shadows star Bella Heathcoate both being named in the mix.

Adapted by Vaughn with his frequent writing partner Jane Goldman, Vaughn's Marv Films will finance and produce the film similar to how they did their previous Mark Millar adaptation Kick-Ass.

Jackson will next be seen reuniting with Spike Lee for the Oldboy remake, followed by a role in MGM's remake of RoboCop next February and then Marvel Studios' Captain America; The Winter Soldier in April 2014.

Though Emma Watson and Bella Heathcote were previously eyed for the role, Variety is reporting that British actress Sophie Cookson has been cast as the female lead in Matthew Vaughn's adaptation of the Mark Millar comic series The Secret Service. Cookson joins a cast that already includes Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Michael Caine, and Samuel L. Jackson.

Like his previous Millar adaptation, Kick-Ass, Matthew Vaughn has co-written the screenplay with Jane Goldman and will also direct and produce the project through his MARV Films banner.

The series, illustrated by Dave Gibbons, tells the story of a British secret agent, Jake (Firth), who recruits and begins to train his rebellious nephew, Gary (Egerton).

The Secret Service is set to begin production this fall for a November 14, 2014 release.

Now in production, Matthew Vaughn's adaptation of the Mark Millar comic series The Secret Service has added Sofia Boutella to the cast, Deadline reports. She joins a cast that includes Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Michael Caine, Samuel L. Jackson and Sophie Cookson.

Like his previous Millar adaptation, Kick-Ass, Matthew Vaughn has co-written the screenplay with Jane Goldman and will also direct and produce the project through his MARV Films banner.

The series, illustrated by Dave Gibbons, tells the story of a British secret agent, Jake (Firth), who recruits and begins to train his rebellious nephew, Gary (Egerton).

Although she's not yet a big name domestically, Boutella recently headlined France's Streetdance 2 and is set to star in the upcoming Monsters: Dark Continent. In The Secret Service, she'll play the film's lead female antagonist.

I saw this yesterday-- it was over the top violence in several sections (much more than I expected)-- and the ending went from a legitimate movie to some horrible scott pilgrim stylized crap.. but overall I did enjoy it (and the wife did as well)-- some normal expected stuff, but a few things were surprising and funny...

I would recommend-- although its definitely a hard R for violence (that being said-- the fight choreography was stunning) ..

And the one line in the movie (that wasn't supposed to get any reaction)-- got a huge crowd laugh since I live in Kentucky..

_________________Fastest know derailer of threads in the know universe...expanded or otherwise.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment has announced that Matthew Vaughn’s hit comic adaptation Kingsman: The Secret Service will debut on Digital HD on May 15 and later on Blu-ray and DVD on June 9.

The Kingsman: The Secret Service Blu-ray has a full arsenal of bloody good added materials that bring the world of the Kingsman to life. Not only can you see a gorgeous gallery of behind-the-scenes images from the film’s production, but the Kingsman: The Secret Service Revealed documentary also gives you an exclusive 90-minute look into the film’s iconic style, fights, gadgets and more. The additional content on the release includes:

Kingsman: The Secret Service Revealed Panel to Screen: The Education Of A 21st Century Super-Spy Heroes And Rogues Style All His Own Tools Of The Trade Breathtakingly Brutal Culture Clash: The Comic Book Origins Of The Secret ServiceGalleries: Behind-The-Scenes, Sets and Props

Based upon the 2012 Icon Comics miniseries by Dave Gibbons and Mark Millar, Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.